A higher value than safety

Several days ago we promised to describe to you that fellowship of men and women who gathered at the end of the 18th century to abolish slavery. We intended to start with Charles Middleton, who rose from servant to the Captain of the Sandwich to Admiral of the Red. However, we are taking a little longer than planned to grasp the hair-raising experience of going to sea in the Royal Navy in 1741. The astonishing details have been provided by British author Patrick O’Brian in The Golden Ocean, a book that describes Commodore George Anson’s circumnavigation of the globe. Anson fought disaster on his voyage round the world – weeks of icy gales, scurvy, hurricanes, shipwreck. He was troubled, sometimes perturbed, but he never lost his temper, and was, according to O'Brian, never afraid. . .

When I was younger, and had suffered a little, I became convinced that the man I wanted to love would be tender, intelligent, and courageous. The last quality seemed important to me because without it the other two were useless. I have not changed my mind since then, but I have examined my courage, and wishing for more I have wondered whether courage can be nurtured.

English philosopher Roger Scruton also describes courage as essential, and suggests why. He says that for men such as Anson and Middleton:

Courage is a higher value than safety, and a life without risk diminishes the gift of freedom. And part of the value of courage over hesitation lies in the fact that it moves more decisively, more economically, and with less catastrophic destruction, to its goal. Courage is not just intrinsically admirable; it is also the most efficient means to achieve what we want.

Charles Middleton responded bravely to danger on the high seas, and was able to take daunting risks on land in the fellowship launched against the slave trade. Look for a post on him tomorrow.

For some of the inventions that made the adventures of men such as Anson and Middleton possible, scroll down the Ingenious Timeline here and here.

For a description of Anson's voyage and life in the Royal Navy, here is O'Brian's novel.

Notes: Patrick O’Brian claimed he was born in Ireland, and the fictional hero of this, his first nautical novel, is an Irish boy, but O’Brian’s step-son, Nikolai Tolstoi, who wrote his biography, reported that the enigmatic writer was born in Britain to an English mother.

Allegedly unwritten, but called "the most stupendous fabric of human invention" in the world, and extremely important to your well-being, no matter where you dwell.

FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS

Our gratitude to ADAM HILEY of Essex for his contribution to the website.

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Thanks to JASON BARNES for contributing to Brits at their Best and buying a copy of the book. Hope he likes it.

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Friends indeed. Many thanks,

David and Cat

Brits at their Best Sidebar Copyright 2006-2014 David Abbott and Catherine Glass

The people of Britain and the Anglosphere defied a world of cruelty and superstition to create life-changing gifts. This is your inheritance. Glorious. Hardcover, 140 pages, 125 colour illustrations.

Available at PG Wells Bookshop, Winchester, 01962 852 016.

The cost is ￡4.99 (plus ￡3 shipping) in the UK, $9 (plus $8 shipping) in the USA.

Please contact us at share.inheritance@gmail.com if you would like a copy.

The authors — Dr David Abbott and Catherine Glass Abbott — are the publishers of this website.

DAVID ABBOTT MD, MRCP

I have practiced medicine in England, America and Canada for the last four decades. I believe in the principles of Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights. I am a father, grandfather, bell ringer, environmental campaigner and marathoner.

Brits at their Best produced thousands of indispensable inventions, developed wildly popular sports, designed romantic houses and gardens, created astonishing literary masterpieces, lived with style and humour, tackled dangerous missions with daring and ingenuity, and fought with indomitable courage to establish and protect the free world.

We describe their superb achievements and extraordinary lives.

CATHERINE (CAT) GLASS

I saw tyranny firsthand in Eastern Europe. (My background is English, Irish, and Czech.) I received my degree in Classical Greek from Columbia University, New York, worked in publishing in the United States for twenty years, and helped the homeless for seven years.